This leisurely journey mirrors the gentle pace of life in Thailand. We explore Bangkok's Royal Palace and the backstreets of this fascinating and vibrant city. Next we visit Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai before learning about the unique hilltribe cultures of the north in Chiang Mai. Finally we enjoy the tropical serenity of the south for a couple of day's relaxation on the beach. We also take time to enjoy Thailand's culinary delights, including a cooking course in Chiang Mai. Above all we will take away a feeling for the warmth of the Thai people, for whom a smile is never far away.

Itinerary

This morning we take a short walk to the Chao Praya river where we board a long tail boat for a tour of the local canals. Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the East because of its intricate canal network. We get a glimpse of daily life as we pass locals selling their wares by the river. We will visit what to this day remains the home of the Thai Royal family at the Royal Palace complex followed by Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand's most venerated images. Another highlight is Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok, housing a 46m long, 15m high gold-plated reclining Buddha. We then head back to our hotel. This afternoon is free for personal exploration.

Leaving Bangkok we transfer by road to Kanchanaburi (approx 3 hours). Kanchanaburi province is a pretty area and a favourite with travellers for its caves, waterfalls and river trips. Kanchanburi is an area made famous by the film 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. We will visit the Kanchanaburi War Museum, which is more a memorial to the thousands who were killed whilst constructing the 'death railway', and have a chance to pay our respects at the War Cemetery in town. We then visit Erawan National Park with its picturesque waterfalls. The waterfalls are named after the Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology which the seven-tiered falls are said to resemble. Your time here is free to enjoy the falls area and there is a chance to enjoy some swimming or to walk to the top of the falls (approx 2 hours return trip), before checking into our riverside resort on the outskirts of Kanchanaburi town.See more images and videos

4Day 4Ride on Death Railway; visit 'Bridge on the River Kwai'.

Today we take a ride on the infamous Death Railway but first we visit Hellfire Pass so called because POW's were forced to chisel through solid rock, working by firelight on a particularly difficult section of the line resulting in a heavy loss of life. The film 'Bridge on the River Kwai' is fictional but uses the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942ï¿½43 for its historical setting. The Japanese used Allied POW's to build a railway from Thailand to Burma so they could supply their army without the dangers of sending supplies by sea. Thousands of POW's died under appalling conditions during its construction, and the line became known as the 'death railway'. Our train ride will finish at the bridge itself which was reconstructed after the war and is used today to take tourist trains over the river.See more images and videos

5Day 5Visit Ayuthaya's temples, overnight train to Chiang Mai.

After breakfast we head to Ayuthaya (approx 4 hours drive), the 2nd royal capital of the Kingdom of Siam. At its peak the Kingdom encompassed large parts of present day Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Diplomatic and international trade missions found their way to Ayuthaya from countries as far afield as Europe. It was not long before Ayuthaya became one of the most important trading centres of the region. The population grew to over 1 million people by the 17th Century, more than any European capital at the same time. Following decades of wars and then a siege that lasted nearly 2 years, Ayuthaya was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese army. Temples were ransacked and statues of gold stolen and carried off to Burma. Following this devastating defeat the Siamese Kingdom relocated its capital to Thonburi (now a suburb in Bangkok) on the banks of the Chao Praya River.
In Ayuthaya we explore the temples that still remain today as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon we board a converted rice barge for a delightful lunch cruise, sampling the delights that Thai cuisine has to offer. Early evening we board our overnight sleeper train bound for Chiang Mai.See more images and videos

6Day 6Thai Cookery Class

In the early morning the train pulls into Chiang Mai, 'The Rose of the North', known for its temples, markets and the many colourful hill tribes that live in the area. Chiang Mai is a former religious and cultural centre, twice coming under the control of the Burmese, there is a strong Burmese influence reflected in the architecture of the city. After transferring to our hotel to freshen up we will head to a highly commended Thai Cooking School, where we learn the intricacies of Thai cooking. Under the supervision of an English-speaking Thai chef you have the opportunity to create your own 'gaeng keow wahn' or green coconut curry. You don't need to be a proficient cook to enjoy this activity but, be warned, you get to eat your creations at the end of the day! Late afternoon we visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep, the most revered Buddhist shrine in the Chiang Mai region. The climb up to the temple is well worth the effort as on a clear day it affords an excellent view over Chiang Mai and its striking temple landscape. In the evening we can visit the night market where many of the hilltribe's handicrafts can be seen.

Today is a full free day to explore the wonderful city of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. There are many optional activities to choose from. You may wish to visit the Elephant Nature Park which is based just outside of the city. In the past elephants have been used as beast of burden in the logging industry but over a decade ago the Thai government banned logging leaving the elephants and their mahouts out of work. This is a centre set up for the long term care of these graceful animals and on a day visit to the centre you will be able to feed and even bathe the elephants as well as watching them roam in acres of lush parkland. Alternatively there is the option today to join a half day cycling trip of the rural surroundings. Helmets will be provided. For those who would rather a relaxing day Chiang Mai has many cafes and markets and is easily explored on foot.See more images and videos

8Day 8Transfer to lodge in the jungle.

This morning we will drive to the Hmong Lodge deep in the jungle-clad hills. The afternoon is free to relax in the lodge's rural setting or to join a short walk of the surrounding area if you would like. In the evening the staff of the lodge will teach us about the traditional Hmong dances. Our lodgings are bungalows built in Hmong style but with the creature comforts of a proper bed, hot shower and Western toilets.See more images and videos

Today we take a gentle 2-3 hour trek into the hills to visit a nearby Hmong village to learn a little more about the lifestyles on the Hmong Hilltribe people who are believed to have migrated down from southern China 100 - 150 years ago. It was the Hmong tribesmen who made up much of the CIA's secret army in Laos during the Indochina conflict. They are a ferociously independent hilltribe group who have maintained their own culture, customs and languages over the centuries. We then return to Chiang Mai.See more images and videos

10Day 10Fly to Bangkok; drive to Hua Hin.

This morning we fly to Bangkok and then drive to Hua Hin, approximately 3 hours by minivan, a popular tourist destination for Thais as well as foreigners.See more images and videos

11Day 11Relax at the beach; day trip to Sam Roi Yort N.P.

These two days are ours to relax and unwind in tropical Hua Hin. This royal beach resort, features long stretches of sand and smooth waters. We take a day trip to 'Khao Sam Roi Yort National Park, meaning Three Hundred Mountain Peaks in English. The park features towering limestone pinnacles and mysterious caves. Great for birdlife, the park is best explored on foot and by boat along the coastline. We will visit the famous Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave that houses a Royal Salaa (meeting hall) for one of the Thai kings, Rama V. The park is an adventurers dream, and your guide will help you explore it on foot to get that perfect photo. Your hotel has a pool, and is just a short ride from the heart of the town which features an eclectic night market, and a large variety of restaurants.See more images and videos

12Day 12Second day to unwind on the long white beach of Hua Hin.

Second day to enjoy the long white beaches and tranquils parks oh Hua Hin.

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels, Lodge & Train

You will spend 11 nights in comfortable hotels, one night in a comfortable rustic lodge and a further night on an air-conditioned open plan train in soft-bed berths. For this trip we have tried to select hotels that have a certain character and as well as a degree of luxury. You will spend 2 or 3 nights in some locations.

Single rooms are available for a supplement depending upon the season. Please advise the sales team at the time of booking. This includes nights spent in hotels only and is not available on the sleeper train.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
A visa for Thailand is not required for British nationals for stays of 30 days or less. If you are unsure of the requirements please check with your nearest Thai embassy.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Holiday style

This is a leisurely trip, with the focus on spending time in each area in comfort with limited travelling times as much as is possible. This trip gives time in each hotel with the best level of accommodation we offer in Thailand. We travel by private minibus, internal flight and more modest accommodation on an air-conditioned sleeper train. The gentle trek on this trip should not be too hard for anyone who is reasonably physically fit. Hua Hin at Christmas and New Year periods as well as Thai holidays can see an increase in visitors, resulting in a busier atmosphere.

Eating & drinking

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner included.

Allow about GBP200-GBP250/USD320-400 for meals not included in the tour cost. In general, restaurants are quite cheap, but if you eat in the more expensive restaurants, you should expect to spend a little more especially for western food. In most towns you will find a wide variety of restaurants, both Thai and Western.
Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note that in Thailand the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat or dairy-free, please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Bangkok and the surrounding region are hot year round. The rainy season is between May and October when rainfall is abundant but not excessive. This time of year is characterised by more cloudy days and slightly higher humidity. Downpours are usually short and sharp and can be dramatic to watch! November to April is the dry season with rainfall only on a few days per month. April and May tend to be the hottest months before the monsoon.

Northern Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. The rainy season in the north is also between May and October. November to April sees cooler temperatures. At night in the hilltribe region during this period it can get very chilly and it is important to be prepared for cold nights at this time.

Southern Thailand is always hot (but hotter in the summer months of May to October) and you should expect temperatures of between 30 and 35degC. The rains come between May and July. Hua Hin is a real year round destination, and in the rainy season it experiences less rain than further north or south, if it does rain it is usually for only 10-20 minutes a day.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What is the sleeper train like in Thailand?

On the sleeper trains, the beds are only folded down at night. There is generally a top bunk with no window and a lower bunk next to the windows. Curtains pull over both the window and across the beds so that you can't be seen by people walking down the aisles of the train. There are two toilets at the end of most carriages. It's advisable to bring your own toilet paper as this tends to run out quickly and DO NOT go to the toilet bare footed. There are showers, so wet wipes for freshening up are also recommended.

Kai Aylward - Sales

Is the Thai visa easy to get?

Despite recent changes to the visa regulations for some nationalities, British passport holders will still get an automatic 30 day visa on arrival (provided you are arriving by air). No photographs or money are required, you will simply get a 30 day stamp in your passport on arrival. Everytime you cross a border, please ensure that the visa stamp has been correctly signed off or a new one issued if re-entering the country.

Kai Aylward - Sales

What is Thai food like?

Thais like their food spicy, but in most resturants they will assume that farang (foreigners) won't want their food quite as spicy and you'll be asked if you want it "Thai style" or not. Vegetarians who don't eat fish may find it difficult to avoid fish oil, as this is used in the vast majority of Thai food. Ask your tour leader to ask that this not be used in cooking, even if you are ordering a vegetarian meal. Street food is wide ranging, cheap and generally of excellent quality. If a vendor is busy, it's generally a sign of the food being good. Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad) is one dish I highly recommend. Grilled chicken (gai) with sticky rice is another. If you fancy a drink, Heineken, Singha and Chang are all available widely and will cost from 60 to 120 baht, depending on where you are. All three are brewed in Thailand.

Kai Aylward - Sales

How should I take my money to SE Asia?

With regards to money, it is easy to change cash or travellers cheques in most of the major cities and towns in South East Asia. ATMs are available everywhere (to give you some idea, there is a gloabally connected ATM at every 711, and there are two 711s for every one bus stop in Bangkok alone). However, there is now a flat fee added for every withdrawal made from an international bank account at ATMs (in addition to any fees charged by your own bank) so it's advisable to only make large cash withdrawals rather than taking out small sums as you go.

Kai Aylward - Sales

What vaccinations do you advise for South East Asia?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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